From The Physics Classroom's Physics Interactives http://www.physicsclassroom.comExploring WavesPurpose:To explore a few simple characteristics of waves traveling along a rope and sound waves traveling throughair.Getting Ready:Navigate to the Simple Wave Simulator Interactive at The Physics Classroom website:http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Waves-and-Sound/Simple-Wave-Simulator
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From The Physics Classroom's Physics Interactives http://www.physicsclassroom.com
Exploring Waves
Purpose:
To explore a few simple characteristics of waves traveling along a rope and sound waves traveling through
air.
Getting Ready:
Navigate to the Simple Wave Simulator Interactive at The Physics Classroom website:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Waves-and-Sound/Simple-Wave-Simulator
Navigational Path:
www.physicsclassroom.com ==> Physics Interactives ==> Waves and Sound ==> Simple Wave Simulator
Getting Acquainted:
Once you've launched the Interactive and resized it, experiment with the interface. Tap on the Slow Motion,
Real Time, and Fast Motion tabs at the top of the interface to observe how to control the tempo of the
animation. Toggle back and forth between a sound wave and a rope wave by tapping on the Show Wave as ...
button. Finally, observe the sliders at the bottom of the interface for controlling the Frequency, Wave Speed,
and Wave Amplitude.
Exploring Waves on a Rope
Set the animation to Show Waves on a Rope using a Real Time tempo and Frequency, Wave Speed, and
Wave Amplitude values of 0.10 Hz (approximately), 100 cm/s, and 2 cm respectively. Then use the
controls on the animation to answer the following questions.
1. In Physics, we distinguish between wave motion and particle motion. Wave motion refers to
the movement of a wave-like pattern from one location on the medium to another. When you view a water
wave moving along the surface of water, you are observing wave motion. There is a very obvious movement
of a collection of crests and troughs along the water surface. In the Simple Wave Simulator, there is a
collection of crests and troughs moving through a rope; this is wave motion. But there are also three points
on the rope that are colored red. When you observe the motion of these points, you are observing particle
motion - the motion of particles of the rope. Describe the motion of these particles.
it moves slowly from right to left and then they compress. It is a constant and precise movement.
2. If you observe closely, you will notice that the particles leave a trail behind them as they move. The longer
the trail, the faster that the particle is moving. During any up-and-down cycle of the particle, does it move
with a constant speed or with a changing speed? If the speed is changing, at what point during its motion
does it move with the greatest speed? the smallest speed? Discuss fully.
when there is a change in the direction.The particle will move faster when there is a change in the
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